Philadelphia Ballet: The Dream

Visit the ballet performance calendar to view dates of all showings of this program.

THE DREAM
Choreographer: Frederick Ashton
PRODIGAL SON
Choreographer: George Balanchine

◆ Philadelphia Ballet

Wrapping up Philadelphia Ballet’s 2023-2024 season at the Academy of Music is a double-bill featuring iconic ballets by two of the twentieth century’s choreographic masters.

Opening is Frederick Ashton’s one-act adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic and comedic A Midsummer Night’s Dream, abridgedly titled The Dream, set to Felix Mendelssohn’s unmistakeable score.

Closing is Balanchine’s allegorical Prodigal Son, a powerful story with fittingly powerful music by Sergei Prokofiev and enhanced by Georges Rouault’s sets and costumes.

“As we close out the 2023/2024 season, I am thrilled to present our audience with two of ballet’s most highly regarded works: Frederick Ashton’s The Dream and George Balanchine’s Prodigal Son.

These timeless ballets not only showcase the remarkable artistry and versatility of our dancers but also epitomize the rich tapestry of storytelling and emotion that ballet has to offer. The Dream transports audiences to a whimsical world of fairies and magic, while Prodigal Son delves into the depths of human emotion and redemption.

It is a privilege to bring these masterpieces to life on stage and share their enduring beauty with our audience.”

– Angel Corella, Artistic Director of Philadelphia Ballet

In closing, Executive Director Shelly Power adds, “This milestone season has been a testament to our unwavering dedication to artistic excellence, innovation and the transformative power of dance. We are immensely proud of our achievements throughout this season and those before it, and we look forward to continuing our mission of inspiring audiences and enriching lives for many more years to come.”

Featured photo of Oksana Maslova and Jack Thomas in Frederick Ashton’s The Dream. Photo by Alexander Iziliaev.